CHICAGO - Marion Paul, president of the Amusement and Music Operators Association, said Thursday that AMOA is moving with all possible haste to organize the coin-op amusement industry's response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. "Watching this disaster unfold on television and with reports slowly coming in of AMOA members who have lost everything in this storm, has created an incredible sense of urgency to respond amongst our board of directors," she said. "We have created the Amusement Industry Katrina Relief Fund to collect and disperse donations received from both our members and other caring industry participants. All donations will be immediately forwarded to the American Red Cross with instructions that those funds should be targeted towards GulfCoast relief efforts."

In a special conference call of the AMOA Executive Committee on Sept. 1, the 12-member group unanimously approved an immediate $10,000 donation to the American Red Cross's Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort and the creation of a special section on AMOA's website , http://www.amoa.com/KatrinaReliefEffort.htm ­ , to solicit donations and provide news and information about the disaster, as well as its effect on members. Also, AMOA will match all member donations , dollar for dollar , up to $20,000, with the funds earmarked for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other locally based organizations spearheading the disaster relief efforts.

During the AMOA International Expo (Las Vegas, Sept. 14 through 16), a special kiosk will be set up to accept Katrina relief efforts donations, and all monies collected on-site during the pre-Expo Golf Classic will also be contributed to the AMOA-supported relief fund.

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by this catastrophe," said Paul. "There are no words to effectively express the magnitude of this disaster nor the incredible sense of loss and anguish that has permeated our country's very soul. We all want to reach out and help in some way. Right now that way is to donate dollars to those organizations best prepared to help those poor and unfortunate people whose lives have been devastated by Katrina."

AMOA executive vice-president Jack Kelleher said those wishing to contribute to the Amusement Industry Katrina Relief Fund, or who are seeking information about industry firms affected by the hurricane, may log onto AMOA's website at http://www.amoa.com for instructions. AMOA's main office can be reached at tel. (800) YES-AMOA. Kelleher can be reached by emailing to jackamoa@aol.com.

BMI SAYS IPOD PUBLIC PERFORMANCE REQUIRES LOCATION LICENSES

NEW YORK CITY , One of the three Performing Rights Organizations has released a formal position statement in the wake of controversy over "iPod nights" in taverns. Broadcast Music Inc. director of media relations, Jerry Bailey, told VENDING TIMES today: "BMI's policy is to license digital audio performances delivered through iPods as yet another form of recorded music. As quickly as technology is changing the way music is delivered, BMI is very attentive to the licensing of these new digital forms of music delivery. While the iPod is a fairly new device, this new technology has caught on in many commercial eating and drinking establishments as a source of recorded music for customers. Our Eating and Drinking Establishment license agreement has provision for this use in our rate schedule."

ROCK-OLA TO ROLL OUT NEW PRODUCTS AT EXPO, RAFFLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

LAS VEGAS , Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corp. will co-exhibit for the first time with its exclusive speaker and amplifier supplier Peavey at this year's AMOA International Expo (booth #2617). At the end of each exhibit day, both companies will host raffles for autographed Peavey equipment including Peavey guitars signed by multi-platinum band 3 Doors Down; founder Hartley Peavey; and Fozzy (a band headed by wrestling champ Chris Jericho). RMC will bow a new, standard-issue, radio frequency remote control with 100-ft. range that can control jukes in other rooms. Existing RMC wired remotes, which come with all Ecast-powered models, have also been upgraded.

SMYTHE RESIGNS AS IAMOA PRESIDENT

INDIANAPOLIS , Following the purchase of Indy Amusements here by Shaffer Distributing (Columbus, OH), former Indy owner Bill Smythe said he will resign as president of the Indiana Amusement and Music Operators Association effective Oct. 12. The IAMOA board will meet that day to elect a new president. Smythe, who helped head the industry's successful campaign against the city's ordinance banning violent video games, has led IAMOA since 2001. He will now focus on running a family-owned chain of restaurants and bars.